First Presbyterian Church
10025-105th St Edmonton, Alberta T5J 1C8
Ph: 780.422.2937 Fax: 780.429.3873
Email: fpc@incentre.net
Welcome To www.firstchurchedmonton.org
Come and join us for Worship and Sunday School
each: Sunday at 11:00am
Rev. Harry Currie, BSc, BEd, MDiv
First Presbyterian Church is located in the heart of
downtown Edmonton, the capital city of Alberta, and is easily accessible from
all parts of the city. The congregation of Edmonton Presbyterian Church, NWT
came into being in 1881 and changed its name to First Presbyterian Church
in 1905 when Alberta became a province. The present church building (the third)
has been used for worship since 1912, and is most attractive both within and
without. In 1987, it was declared an historic resource by the Province of
Alberta and in 2000 a plaque was unveiled granting it historic designation
by the City Of Edmonton.
First Church's strengths lie in mission at home and abroad, pastoral care
in the Church and community, a Food Bank outlet and refugee support. Sunday
services are enhanced by its fine choir with an anthem or solo being performed
every Sunday (except during July and August). Holy Communion is celebrated
four times a year.
The church has a good nursery, Sunday School and Youth Group, and there are
active Church groups and committees in charge of various outreach programs.
The church also welcomes the use of its facilities by various community organizations
and groups.
125th Anniversary
The year 2006 marks a significant milestone for First Church. It was on November 6th, 1881 that Reverend Andrew Baird conducted the first Presbyterian service ever to have been held in Edmonton (or indeed in what is now the Province of Alberta). Thus, this Fall will mark the 125th Anniversary of the beginnings of Presbyterian witness in our city. While First Church will mark the event with a variety of special celebrations, we invite all Presbyterians in the city and beyond to join us in an evening service of praise and Thanksgiving on Sunday, November 5th, 2006.
Church News
Organ Rebuilding: The organ (pictured above) in First Church was originally built in 1909 by Casavant. In 1951 it was revised to include a new console and stop additions were also made at that time. In 1995 a proposal was submitted for a new instrument but this has lain dormant (although some re-leathering was done after the 1995 proposal). Now we are at the point where serious repairs are needed to restore and enhance the organ, an instrument that is now unique for its vintage in the city. Session has approved the Board's recommendation that a major rebuilding of the organ be undertaken under the direction of Stephen Miller, the Alberta representitive of the Casavant company. This is now underway and already close to one third of the $300,000 required has been raised through generous donations from the congregation and several special events. When completed, First Presbyterian Church will have an organ of concert quality which will not only enhance the musical worship but also be available for outreach to the community through the Church's availability as a venue sought after by many performing groups in the city.
Our fundraising efforts continue and your contribution to the preservation of this unique musical instrument is most gratefully accepted. Donations may be sent to:
First Presbyterian Church Organ Fund
10025-105 ST
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 1C8
(Income Tax receipts for all gifts to First Presbyterian are issued annually)
Our Mission Statement
The church's strength comes from God and
from the willingness of God's people to work together. We will respond to
God's call for us to be a worshipping, studying, praying people who nurture
and support each other so that we may come to experience the presence of God
in our lives.
We do not exist for ourselves. we will actively communicate the caring presence
of God in our lives and share our resources and talents with others in the
larger community, thus following Christ's example of service to all.
Our mission comes from God's word in Mark 12: 29-31: "'The Lord Our God, the Lord is one: and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength' And, 'You shall love your neighbour as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."